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John Thomas Bross

Age : 53

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 08/05/2025

Location : Interstate 70 near milepost 216

City : Belmont

County : Belmont

State : Ohio

Agency : Belmont County Sheriff’s Office; Bridgeport Police Department; Martins Ferry Police Department; St. Clairsville Police Department; Ohio State Highway Patrol

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Suicide

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/05/2025, an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on Interstate 70 in Belmont County. The driver, later identified as John Thomas Bross, 53, continued driving away while the trooper pursued. During the pursuit, Bross crashed his vehicle near the Morristown exit on Interstate 70.
After the crash, Bross exited the vehicle while armed with a handgun. As troopers approached, he shot himself. Troopers immediately rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived, but Bross was pronounced dead at the scene. The Belmont County Coroner ruled the death an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the decedent as John Thomas Bross on August 6, 2025. The investigation into the pursuit and death remains ongoing.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wtrf.com/news/ohio-headlines/police-chase-in-belmont-county-ends-in-crash-and-apparent-suicide/
https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/community/2025/08/vehicle-pursuit-ends-with-crash-and-apparent-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound/
https://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/local-news/2025/08/deceased-identified-in-i-70-pursuit-suicide-case/